IMD in Portugal
Histories of Microbiology in the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon: From the Vaccine Institution to the first pasteurians
When: 17 September 2025
Time: 11:00 - 18:00
Where: Academia das Ciências de Lisboa R. Academia das Ciências 19, 1200-032 Lisboa and Online
Event Description: For the fourth year in a row, the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon (ACL) marks the International Microorganism Day (IMD) with three events: an Exhibition, a Monograph and a “Tertúlia”(informal discussions), all under the theme "Histories of Microbiology in the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon: From the Vaccine Institution to the first pasteurians". These events explore ACL's collections highlighting the first pasteurians who were national and foreign members of the academy, Louis Pasteur among them.
The chosen period is one of the most fertile and decisive periods of microbiology history that evolved from an emerging science to a structured scientific domain with a profound impact on medicine, public health, agriculture, and industry. The eleven notable first pasteurians highlighted (Louis Pasteur, Augusto Rocha, Aníbal Bettencourt, Carlos França, Nicolau Bettencourt, Ricardo Jorge, Charles Lepierre, Arthur BowerGriffiths, Jean Isaac Effront, Oswaldo Cruz, and Carlos Chagas) followed Pasteur´s ideas and methods: the defense of experimental science as a basis for medicine and public health, work in public health (vaccines, sanitation, hospitals), and the creation of laboratories and scientific institutes. These prestigious figures also secured connections with centers of knowledge in France, Brazil, and elsewhere, as demonstrated in the profiles published through the ACL's Historical-Biographical Dictionary and summarized in the Monograph.
The Exhibition shows how microbiological knowledge has evolved, was documented, transmitted, and valued, throughout a dynamic period of global science. The “Tertúlia” focuses on the Vaccine Institution of ACL and the pre- and post-Pasteur Vaccines and on the eleven notable first pasteurians. Within the IMD spirit, two researchers from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil, representing tropical microbiology and two distinguished foreign corresponding members of ACL, will contribute together with Portuguese researchers and other “animators”.
Those invited to submit an entry will be able to do so via a link that will be published at a later date.
Members of the public wishing to attend will be able to do so via the Portuguese Microbiology Society's YouTube channel.
Registration:
Use this link for more information.
For more information email the organizers at comunicacao@acad-ciencias.pt
International Microorganism Day 2025 at Técnico
When: 17 September 2025
Time: 14:00 - 18:00
Where: Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon
Event Description: To celebrate International Microorganism Day 2025, Técnico is proud to host a dynamic and educational event that highlights the essential role of microbiology in our lives and on the planet. From health and climate change adaptation to sustainable agriculture, microbiology remains at the forefront of scientific progress.
The programme will feature invited talks by national experts, who will explore the many ways in which microbiology is transforming our understanding of the world.
A highlight of the event is the return of the popular “Microbiology Trail”, an interactive, hands-on experience specially designed for children, teenagers, and students of all levels. Participants will follow a trail of engaging stations, where they will take part in games, experiments, and demonstrations, each revealing a fascinating aspect of microbial life. As they progress, they will gather clues to solve challenges and quizzes, with fun prizes for the winners!
Target audience: School groups (primary to secondary), university students, families, and the public interested in science.
Objective: To raise awareness of the impact of microbiology on society and inspire curiosity about the microbial world through education, outreach, and hands-on exploration.
Registration:
Attendance is free, but school and group visits can be registered in advance.
Please contact us at geral@bioengenharia.tecnico.ulisboa.pt to receive more information.
Join us for an afternoon of discovery, fun, and celebration of the invisible organisms that shape our visible world!
International Microorganism Day at FCUP
When: 17 September 2025
Time: 13:00 - 17:00
Where: Faculty of Sciences - University of Porto
Event Description: To celebrate International Microorganism Day, FCUP will host an engaging educational event aimed at high school students (9th–12th grade). The objective is to promote microbiology literacy and inspire curiosity about the microbial world, its applications, and its essential role in health, the environment, and biotechnology.
The programme includes:
Pedipaper – Microscopic Mission: an interactive outdoor game with microbiology challenges held in the FCUP gardens.
Kahoot – Micróbio no Divã: a fun quiz based on episodes of the “Micróbio no Divã” podcast, enhancing understanding of the microbiota.
Illustration Contest – “What do microorganisms look like?”: a creative competition where students illustrate real or imagined microorganisms.
Laboratory Visits: guided tours of microbiology research labs to showcase spaces and working conditions.
Special Lecture – Microorganisms: invisible enemies or essential allies? A talk exploring the vital roles of microorganisms in health, environment, and biotechnology.
Speakers: Researchers and teaching staff from FCUP’s Microbiology and Biology Departments will share their expertise during the lecture and laboratory visits.
Target audience: High school students from four schools in the surrounding area of FCUP. Approximately 100 students are expected to participate.
Organisation: All activities are organised in a rotational format, allowing all students to take part in each activity throughout the afternoon.
Registration: Schools will be contacted directly to arrange group participation.
This event combines interactive learning, creativity, and direct contact with research environments, fostering scientific curiosity and awareness of microbiology’s impact on daily life.
International Microorganism Day in Oeiras
When: 17 September 2025
Time: 16:00 - 19:00
Where: Santo Amaro Beach, Oeiras
Event Description: Celebrate International Microorganism Day with sand on your feet!
Santo Amaro Beach will be transformed into a real seaside laboratory to celebrate microorganisms, the smallest inhabitants of our planet! Bring a good dose of curiosity: you'll be able to look at microorganisms under a microscope, talk to researchers from ITQB NOVA and even find out first-hand if the sea water is suitable for bathing with a microbiological test carried out on the spot. The little ones can also unleash their creativity with sand drawings, games and science activities.
End the day with the best that microorganisms have to offer while enjoying a cider fermented at ITQB NOVA, to the sound of the unmissable DJ E. coli.
Join us for this afternoon of science by the sea organized by ITQB NOVA, with the support of the Municipality of Oeiras.
Registration:
The event is free for all. No registration required.
Um olhar sobre o Invisível | A Look at the Invisible
When: 17 September 2025
Time: 10:00 - 16:30
Where: Escola Básica e Secundária da Povoação | Rua Padre João Medeiros 9650-403 Povoação
Event Description: To mark International Microorganism Day, the Azores Microbial Observatory - OMIC, is launching the travelling exhibition "A Look at the Invisible’ at the Povoação Primary and Secondary School between 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
Combining microbiology and technology, the exhibition invites students to explore the invisible world of microorganisms through immersive experiences, interactive content, and accessible and inclusive resources.
This initiative marks the start of an interactive and educational project that will visit several councils on the island of São Miguel until the end of 2025. Its main objective is to arouse scientific curiosity, strengthen literacy in microbiology and bring science closer to the educational community, particularly young people, in non-formal learning contexts.
This project, with reference number M3.4.B/ORG EVENTOS DC&T/2025/032 - Um olhar sobre o Invisível, received funding from the Direção Regional da Ciência, Inovação e Desenvolvimento, through the PROSCIENTIA Incentive System.
Registration:
Email geral@omic.pt
Arte com Micróbios
When: 15 September 2025 to 19 September 2025
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Where: Observatório Microbiano dos Açores | Antigo Chalé de Misturas - Caldeiras das Furnas | 9675-045 Furnas
Event Description:To mark International Microorganism Day, the Azores Microbial Observatory is promoting the ‘Art with Microbes’ initiative between 15 and 19 September 2025.
This initiative aims to highlight the importance of microorganisms for humans and other organisms, promoting scientific knowledge through a creative approach that combines art and science.
During this period, the Centre will offer the free practical activity ‘Art with Microbes’ to all visitors, as well as free admission to the exhibitions on display at the Centre on 17 September.
Registration:
No registration required.
(Luso)Microbial Connections - Science Conversations in Portuguese [Conexões (Luso)Microbianas'25 – Conversas de Ciência em PT]
When: 17 September 2025
Time: 12:00 - 15:00
Where: Online University of Coimbra
Event Description: On September 17, 2025, the University of Coimbra, representing the Portuguese Microbiology Society (SPM), in partnership with IHMT-NOVA, will organize the anchor event of the International Day of the Microorganism in Portugal, with the stream "(Luso)Microbial Connections - Science Conversations in Portuguese".
The initiative is intended to be a new edition of the event organised in 2024 ("Conexões (Luso)Microbianas") and, like last year, teachers, researchers, and students from institutions that are members of the Lusophone Microbiology Network are invited to participate.
This edition will also be open to SPM members from Portuguese institutions researching in the areas of Microbiology and/or Biotechnology (limited to 2 per institution). All they have to do is send in a short 5-minute video (the"5 minutes of fame") presenting a published article, scientific project or relevant results.
Registration:
Those invited to submit an entry will be able to do so via a link that will be published at a later date.
Members of the public wishing to attend will be able to do so via the Portuguese Microbiology Society's YouTube channel.
Feira do Microrganismo (“Microorganism Fair”)
When: 24 September 2025
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Where: Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Event Description: We will organize an open-air fair-like event with dozens of mini-activities related to microorganisms from all areas in the environment (water, and soil), in food (food production and food safety), and health (gut and skin microbiome), among others.
Our objective is to introduce the magical world of invisible microorganisms to young students in a didactic and funny way.
Target audience: Primary and secondary school students with 1200 expected participants.
Registration:
We created an online form until 1st September: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWSkQCTFaJhxYa2MQOkiIDZNIdj1k1qkErRHbniaOQNqE7WA/viewform